US intensifies drone strikes on Somalia

US military forces have quietly intensified their operations in Somalia, with a growing number of drone attacks against Sheba Islamists linked to Al Qaeda and other jihadists.

Since the beginning of this year, the United States has carried out 28 drone attacks in the African country, 15 of them since last September 1st, according to the US Command in Africa (AFRICOM).

That represents a considerable increase over last year. According to The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, based in London and which keeps a count of US operations in Somalia and other parts of the world, there were 15 air strikes against the Sheba in all of 2016.

The rebound in activity comes as the United States is alert to a possible influx of members of the Islamic State (IS), which has lost most of its territory in Iraq and Syria.

The United States also conducted a pair of drone attacks against ISIS in Somalia on November 3, the first time it hits the jihadists in that country.

Although the Pentagon has given few details, spokesman Rob Manning said this week that the United States had killed 40 Shebaab and IS militants in a series of five attacks in Somalia between November 9 and 12.

On Wednesday, AFRICOM announced a sixth attack that killed "several" Shabaab militants, 97 kilometers from the capital, Mogadishu.

The increase in activity occurs after President Donald Trump gave more freedom of action to his military in Somalia, allowing actions against alleged terrorists when they deem necessary without seeking specific approval from Washington.

The United States supported the country's fight against the Sheba, which has carried out devastating bombings in Mogadishu and elsewhere.